The County

Big Rock Snowtubbing

12-year-old Aiden Collins of Frenchville glides to a stop on the snowtubing hill at Big Rock Ski Area in Mars Hill on Nov. 29. (Melissa Lizotte | Star-Herald )

12-year-old Aiden Collins of Frenchville glides to a stop on the snowtubing hill at Big Rock Ski Area in Mars Hill on Nov. 29. (Melissa Lizotte | Star-Herald )

After early snowfall, ski slopes are ready to welcome winter sport enthusiasts

December 7, 2019

The early snowfall that Aroostook County received in November proved helpful for local ski slopes, which are geared up for what they expect to become another busy winter season.

News Browse News

New federal grant to help PI residents with disabilities find affordable housing

The Presque Isle Housing Authority recently received a federal grant that will allow it to expand access to affordable housing for non-elderly individuals who have disabilities.

New Fort Fairfield ice rink to open soon for skating enthusiasts

In the coming weeks, the parks and recreation department will create an 80-foot rink that will be located adjacent to the Fort Fairfield Town Office on 18 Community Center Drive, on the same land where children play basketball in the summer.

How cold is too cold for dogs?

The problem is: dogs can’t talk. They can’t tell you when their feet go numb or their ears are burning. So you have to be observant.

‘Potential violent parent’ causes lockdown in Caribou school

Teague Park Elementary School went into a “soft lockdown” Thursday following an incident in the parking lot with a “potential violent parent."

Presque Isle to kick off the holiday season with 30th annual Holiday Light Parade

Casey Bouchard, co-chair of the parade, said that the Holiday Light Parade has become the ultimate way for Presque Isle to kick off the holiday season year after year.

Smoke alarm empties classrooms at Houlton school

Students at Houlton Middle-High School received an extended recess break Thursday afternoon after the school’s smoke detection system notified authorities.

Crime and Courts Browse Crime and Courts

Aroostook County Grand Jury hands up November indictments

An Aroostook County Grand Jury handed up the following indictments in November. Aroostook County District Attorney Todd Collins released the indictment list on Wednesday.

Houlton police seize drugs, cash in busts

A routine patrol by a Houlton Police officer resulted in a Houlton man being arrested Nov. 21 for unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs.

Police charge Caribou man with two counts of attempted burglary

The Caribou Police Department arrested Robert Dobbins, 24, of Caribou and charged him with two counts of criminal attempt, burglary, a class B felony, and violation of condition of release, a class C felony, police said on Nov. 25.

Police arrest Oakfield teen on criminal threatening, five other charges following chase

A 17-year-old Oakfield girl was charged with criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon and five other offenses after allegedly leading authorities on a chase through the town on Nov. 20.

Maine State Police Troop F Report, Nov. 11-17, 2019

The Maine State Police Troop F barracks in Houlton responded to a number of calls for service during the period of Nov.11-17, including the following.

Maine State Police Troop F Report, Nov. 4-10, 2019

The Maine State Police Troop F barracks in Houlton responded to a number of calls for service during the period of Nov.4-10, including the following.

Sports Browse Sports

UMPI Owls edge past UMFK Bengals, 68-66

The University of Maine at Presque Isle men's basketball team took on County rival University of Maine at Fort Kent on Saturday, Dec. 7. UMPI earned the win after a well fought game, 68-66 after being down early.

High School sports season returns

A flurry of basketball games is in store as the winter sports season tips off Friday, Dec. 6 for local high school squads.

Ways to report sports results

With the winter sports season soon underway, the newspaper is seeking the help of area coaches in reporting results in a timely manner.

Houlton Elks to host annual hoop shoot

The Houlton Lodge of Elks Lodge No. 835 is hosting its annual hoop shoot free throw contest on Sunday, Dec. 15, at Houlton Middle-High School.

Board announces 2019 Butch Shaw awardees

The Northern Maine Board of Approved Soccer Officials recently announced their 2019 Butch Shaw Award recipients.

Maine Moose lacrosse teams receive donations

Machias Savings Bank recently donated $500 to the Maine Moose lacrosse team of Houlton.

Business News Browse Business News

Learn to minimize the risk of computer threats at cyber security workshop

This session, “Cyber Security…Protecting Your Computer from Life’s Electronic Challenges,” will help folks to understand how to best minimize the risks of various computer threats.

Probus learns about insurance business

The Probus Club of Central Aroostook held their regular monthly meeting at Northern Maine Community College’s Reed Commons Building on Nov. 22.

Bank promotes new senior credit analyst

Katahdin Trust has announced the promotion of Sarah Gardiner to senior credit analyst.

Future Business Leaders host annual harvest supper and auction

The Presque Isle Regional Career Technical Center chapter of Future Business Leaders of America held their annual harvest supper and auction on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at the Presque Isle Snowmobile Club.

Progressive Realty celebrates 30th anniversary

Progressive Realty in Caribou recently celebrated 30 years of business during a Nov. 25 open house where current owner Cathy Duffy and her staff said they were confident that the business will keep going strong for years to come.

Progressive Realty donates $4,500 to new school project

The staff at Progressive Realty recently donated $4,500 toward the new Caribou Community School project, which is slated for completion next August.

County Candids Browse County Candids

CME-Robin-49-19

(Courtesy of Patty Jennings)

(Courtesy of Patty Jennings)

A robin stops for a snack break

November 29, 2019

Patty Jennings of Stacyville captured this image of a robin snacking on a winterberry bush Monday, Nov. 25.

State, National and World News Browse State, National and World News

Crime in Maine drops for the seventh straight year

The total number of crimes reported in Maine dropped for the seventh straight year in 2018, according to data from the Maine Department of Public Safety released Wednesday, but there were more assaults and homicides than there were in 2017.

$100 checks headed for more than 300,000 Maine households

More than 300,000 Maine homeowners can expect a $100 check early next year under a new state law.

Credit union names scholarship recipients

For three Maine college freshmen, paying for education just got a little easier. Acadia Federal Credit Union named Cassidy Beaulieu, Sarah Masterson and Jacob Jandreau as the 2019 recipients of the Acadia FCU Scholarship.

NASA preparing for first all-female spacewalk later this week

Astronauts Jessica Meir, a Caribou native, and Christina Kock are preparing for a spacewalk scheduled for later this week, according to a NASA press release.

Poll Browse Poll

Which is worse, driving through road construction or driving through snow?

Let us know what you think.

Living Browse Living

Youth Box-a-Thon to raise awareness help homeless

On Friday, Dec. 6, members of the high school youth ministry at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Presque Isle will be found “living” in and under cardboard boxes with a modicum of warm clothing from 6 p.m. to midnight.

Weekly digital jigsaw ~ ‘Book fair’ ~ Star-Herald

During the week of Nov. 18, the Mapleton Parent Organization held its annual fall book fair.

Weekly digital jigsaw – Santa letters — Houlton Pioneer Times

Little Zydun Deveau, 3, of Littleton places is letter to Santa in the mailbox at the Houlton Pioneer Times office Wednesday.

Opinion Browse Opinion

Christmas spells love

To the editor: In 1957 our nation was privileged to see the showing of the movie “The Miracle Worker.” This was a portrayal of the early life of Helen Keller, who was born in 1880 and at 19 months old contracted meningitis that so affected her brain that she came through this fever blind, deaf and mute.

Stupid or tough to live in Star City

I have often thought we are awfully stupid or awfully tough. Now you can figure it out.

To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, stay out of the car until you’re ready to roll

It happens every year after a snowstorm. And it's always devastating.